STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The National Weather Service has announced severe air quality alerts for Staten Island that will be in effect until 11 p.m. tonight, and again on Friday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation has issued the air quality health advisory for Staten Island, as well as for Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, Bronx and Westchester and Rockland counties.

The weather alert is the result of an air quality index greater than 100 for the pollutant of ground level ozone, according to the National Weather Service. When the pollutants are elevated, the city Health Department recommends that residents limit strenuous outdoor physical activity to avoid the risk of adverse health effects.

The Health Department also recommends that children, as well as people with pre-existing respiratory problems, such as asthma or heart disease, consult their personal physician about the level of activity they should perform outdoors when air quality alerts are issued.